With the great sword Caliburn in his hand and Merlin the enchanter at his side, Arthur comes out of hiding to claim the crown he was born to wear. Merlin, Arthur's protector, sees the glories and horrors that await the new king . . . and to save him Merlin musters all his power to weave one last enchantment. He is showing signs of age and he gradually realises he is losing his powers of prophecy and clairvoyance to a younger generation. But he is able to accept this because he knows that they will be at the service of his beloved monarch whose fabled victories, marriage and the building of Camelot shine through these pages.
The Last Enchantment (The Classic Merlin Trilogy)
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'An absorbing and haunting novel' (Daily Mail )
'A fascinating novel, a richly woven tapestry presented with a vividness that brings the characters from myth to real life' (Evening Standard )
'Mary Stewart, enchantress . . . an ability to evoke a situation, a mood or a season with a few phrases of prose that are almost verse' (Daily Telegraph )
'A perfect trip out of the present.' (New York Times Book Review )
'A fascinating novel, a richly woven tapestry presented with a vividness that brings the characters from myth to real life' (Evening Standard )
'Mary Stewart, enchantress . . . an ability to evoke a situation, a mood or a season with a few phrases of prose that are almost verse' (Daily Telegraph )
'A perfect trip out of the present.' (New York Times Book Review )
About the Author
Mary Stewart is one of our most successful novelists. Her first novel, MADAM WILL YOU TALK, was published in 1955. It was an immediate success and marked the beginning of a long and acclaimed writing career. All her novels have been bestsellers on both sides of the Atlantic. She was made a Doctor of Literature by Durham University in 2009.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Another great read by Mary Stewart. She's continued to keep enthralled with the characters and developed these realistically. been a pleasure to read the whole series. Well recommended.
Format:Paperback
I studied the Arthur 'myth' and the Arthur 'fact', when I was at university and know Mort de Arthur etc back to front. I don't enjoy or like the over romanticism of the Arthurian 'legend' (a la Victorians) preferring fact-based fiction, fiction rooted in known historical facts, wars, landscapes, people, places, events. What Mary Stewart has done in this trilogy is remarkable really. If you can imagine the perfect blend of the Arthur story, straddling fact AND fiction, it's there in this trilogy.
There is so much to love in these books. And I mean REALLY love. Beautiful writing, deep, complex characterization, gorgeous landscapes, magic, realism, magic-realism, the human conditions of love, sorrow, birth and death. It's all there and done in such an accomplished way. Her characters retain their Welsh/Celtic heritage (hurrah), the dialects of the various tribes are respected (yoo-hoo), the landscape and geography of Britain in this period of history rings true. But the real star of the books is not Arthur but Merlin, whom like a previous reviewer, i too confess to being a little in love with. He feels real, believable, lovable, scary (at times) intelligent, a great intellect, funny, empathetic, a healer, a scientist, a traveller, a musician and poet, a lovely lover. Perfect man really!
Bernard Cornwall in his own majestic trilogy Winter's King really does come close to a similar achievement, but for me was lacking the warmth of Mary Stewart's effort. While Cornwall is all masculinity, battle and gore (although very very well written) Mary Stewart's is just better. That's not to say she avoids the blood and the gore (am thinking of the three thieves Merlin met on the road and Arthur's summary justice.) it's just she has layers and layers of story and character and plot.
One tiny tiny criticism. While I loved her characterisation of the main characters, I felt some of the secondary characters fell short. While we know loads about say Bedwyr (knight and best friend) or Ralph (servant and then miller) and even towards the end Ninume, I really wanted to know more about the sisters Morgan and Morgause. I gave it five stars because it deserves it. I recommend anyone who loves history blended with believable fiction to read this and for anyone who is interested, even remotely, in the Arthur stories.
I finished the book earlier and am now a bit sad. What can I read that can match this?
There is so much to love in these books. And I mean REALLY love. Beautiful writing, deep, complex characterization, gorgeous landscapes, magic, realism, magic-realism, the human conditions of love, sorrow, birth and death. It's all there and done in such an accomplished way. Her characters retain their Welsh/Celtic heritage (hurrah), the dialects of the various tribes are respected (yoo-hoo), the landscape and geography of Britain in this period of history rings true. But the real star of the books is not Arthur but Merlin, whom like a previous reviewer, i too confess to being a little in love with. He feels real, believable, lovable, scary (at times) intelligent, a great intellect, funny, empathetic, a healer, a scientist, a traveller, a musician and poet, a lovely lover. Perfect man really!
Bernard Cornwall in his own majestic trilogy Winter's King really does come close to a similar achievement, but for me was lacking the warmth of Mary Stewart's effort. While Cornwall is all masculinity, battle and gore (although very very well written) Mary Stewart's is just better. That's not to say she avoids the blood and the gore (am thinking of the three thieves Merlin met on the road and Arthur's summary justice.) it's just she has layers and layers of story and character and plot.
One tiny tiny criticism. While I loved her characterisation of the main characters, I felt some of the secondary characters fell short. While we know loads about say Bedwyr (knight and best friend) or Ralph (servant and then miller) and even towards the end Ninume, I really wanted to know more about the sisters Morgan and Morgause. I gave it five stars because it deserves it. I recommend anyone who loves history blended with believable fiction to read this and for anyone who is interested, even remotely, in the Arthur stories.
I finished the book earlier and am now a bit sad. What can I read that can match this?
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I first read the Crystal Cave and Hollow Hills when I was a teenager, just after they had been published 34 years ago. I had no idea then that a third book was being written and at the time I was bogged down doing what was needed to go to University.They made such an impression that I never could part with the books and over the years re-read them from time to time. Each time finding something new in them.I recently made the discovery that Mary Stewart had written The Last Enchantment which I promptly ordered and read. Another reviewer had said that she thought she was a little in love with Merlin, and I feel the same too. He's the perfect hero. Strong, kind, wise and vulnerable too. I was glad his end wast'nt as 'shameful' as he'd predicted. If I am ever marooned on a desert island I would take the Merlin Trilogy. If you ever want to get away from the trials and tribulations of 21st century life, read these thoroughly original and absorbing books.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Last Enchantment
I gave the Merlin Trilogy to my husband for Christmas,he loves all 3 books,he is a great fan of Mary Stewart
Published 4 months ago by cassie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Last enchantment
Mary Stewart is one of my long time favourites and I am sure that it will be read more that once now that I have the kindle version
Published 5 months ago by Frankie Andreou
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